Overview
- Education Minister Paul Calandra condemned the Arabic rendition and warned he will act if boards do not respect national symbols and federal law.
- The Toronto District School Board directed all schools to use only English, French, or instrumental versions while it determines what occurred.
- A school source said students chose the Arabic track from a multi-language CD, and another source said the choice was intended to mark Canadian Islamic History Month.
- The principal apologized to Jewish students and staff, and complaints and public criticism followed, including a call for firing from MP Kevin Vuong.
- New recordings reported by True North indicate other Ontario schools have also played the anthem in non-official languages, raising wider compliance questions.